Multiplex start-stop extension translator



Patented Apr. 2, 1940 PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLEX START-STOP EXTENSION TRANSLATOR Frederick G. Halldcn, Bellcrose, N. Y., assignor to Postal Telegraph-Cable Company (New York), New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 221,895

15 Claims.

My invention relates to telegraph circuit arrangements and more particularly to a telegraph signal storage and transfer arrangement suitable for a multiplex to start-and-stop trans later, for translating multiplex signals into startstop signals, or for operating receiving apparatus or other suitable apparatus;

In telegraph circuits it is often desirable to provide a means for translating multiplex telegraph signals incoming over a transmission lineinto start-stop signals for operating start-stop printers or other equipment. Various forms of such start-stop translator circuits have been provided for use in these systems. In all these arrangements it is necessary to insert in the start-stop circuit impulses such as thestart and stop impulses for controlling the starting and stopping of the equipment at the ends of each character received in addition to the regular character impulses.

It is a principal object of my invention to provide a telegraph signal storage, and transfer arrangement which is simple in design and rapid in action.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a start-stop translating unit which is simple in construction and is positive in action.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a translating unit wherein the separate character elements are first stored by means of electrical magnets and a locking arrangement and then later released by means of a releasing arrangement and impressed upon another circuit in proper sequence.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a combination between a multiplex to start-stop translator andv a start-stop printer, which will enable the start-stop printer to be connected for direct operation from a multiplex line.

It is another object of my invention to provide a simple cam arrangement to perform a necessary distributing function for a multiplex to start-stop translator.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a simple mechanical locking means for holding the signal storage magnet in operated position in accordance with the received signals, and to provide an arrangement operative upon transfer of the stored signal impulse to another circuit, for restoring the mechanical locking means to normal.

Other objects and advantages of my arrangement will be apparent from the particular description made in connection with the acoornpanying drawing, in which Fig. l discloses diagrammatically a preferred arrangement embodying the principles of my invention applied as a multiplex to start-stop translator, and Fig. 2 illustrates a modified arrangement of the receiving magnet and locking mechanism.

In Fig. 1 the incoming multiplex line is connected to the usual line relay 6|. This relay, which may be of the polarized type, controls a contact 64 which connects a source of direct current potential to the common ring 50 of a multiplex distributor, in accordance with received signals. Only a single channel of the multiplex signal distributor is illustrated, the signal impulse elements of which are selectively transferred to the receiving segments 5|, 5:, 5a, 5a and 55 by brush 56. Each of these receiving segments 5| to 55 is connected separately to the individual receiving magnets II to l5, inclusive. Each of these receiving magnets is provided with a suitable armature 3| to 35, inclusive, and cooperat- 0 ing with each of these armatures is a contact lever B to ill respectively. These contact levers are each separately associated with impulsing contacts 2| to .25, which serve to transmit the character signal elements to start-stop loop circuits 25 62. Connected with the start-stop loop is shown a printer magnet 65, which may directly control the well known start-stop printer driven by the usual printer motor (not shown). Also associated with the start-stop loop circuits 52 is pro- 30 vidcd a normally closed contact arrangement 28 controlled by means of the contact lever 21. Each of the contact'levers 6, l, 8, 9, l0 and 27, is provided with a projecting feeler cam surface and cooperating with these levers are selecting cams l, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and start-stop cams 26. All of these cams are mounted for rotation with a common shaft 63 suitably coupled by means such as a friction clutch, not shown, so that the cams will normally be urged to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrows. A motcr for driving the shaft may be provided and when the translator is directly associated with the printer is preferably the regular printer motor. In the absence of signals the shaft 63 is held stationary by means of detent 29. This detent 29 is normally maintained in stop position by means of an upturned portion of armature 4!! controlled by release magnet 36. This magnet is connected on one side tothe common ground and on the other side is connected to the sixth pulse contact 58 of the distributor. This sixth pulse contact is adapted to cooperate with sixth pulse ring 59 through the cooperation of brush 60.

Cooperating with each of the receiving magnets H to l5, are provided locking levers l6 to 20, respectively. These levers are urged to the left by means of springs but are normally not permitted to move in this direction because of the position of the armatures 3| to 35. However, upon receipt of a marking impulse on a particular distributor segment, the magnet connected to this segment is energized and the armature assoelated therewith is drawn downward. This permits the locking lever to move toward the left and the projecting portion of the locking lever will overly the armature preventing its return upon opening of the magnet circuit. In order that the sixth pulse contact will not release the detent unless some signal has been received, a suitable sixth pulse cut-out mechanism may be provided. Such a mechanism is diagrammatically illustrated in the drawing by rod 4| and the associated mechanism. Cooperating with armature 40 of detent 29, is provided a blocking lever 37 pivoted at 38. This lever is normally maintained in blocking position by means of a suitable spring (not shown). On the lower end of lever 3'! at point 38 is connected rod or bail 4|. This rod is provided with an extending member 36 cooperating with each of the locking levers l6 to 20, inclusive. Upon receipt of any positive or marking impulse the associated magnet is energized permitting the locking lever to move toward the left. The locking lever in moving toward the left pushes upon projection 36 moving 4| to the left and rocking lever 31 out of blocking relationship with respect to armature 40.

It should be understood that the showing in Fig. l is highly diagrammatic and that in actual practice would generally be arranged so that each of the locking levers would be in the same plane. Thus the sixth pulse cut-out mechanism may take the form of a simple bail arrangement with a portion of the bail cooperating with each of the levers. This cut-out mechanism may cooperate with the clutch so as to prevent engagement thereof in absence of a particular received signal, in the manner now in common use in the teletype printers instead of operating a blocking lever as shown.

The translating unit may be made quite small in dimensions, and when used directly to control a start-stop printer with multiplex signals is preferably mounted directly on the base of the printer. The cam shaft 4| is then coupled through a suitable clutch to the printer motor so that the same motor operates to perform the translation and to effect the printing. The arrangement makes it possible to utilize the known types of start-stop printers in conjunction with a multiplex line without necessitating the provision of special start-stop extension circuits.

A description of the operation of the arrangement to more clearly explain the system will now be given. Presume that a multiplex signal is incoming over line 6|. As pulse #1 arrives on the common ring 59, brush 56 passes over segment 5| and completes a circuit from the common ring 5 through receiving segment 5|, the winding of relay H to ground. If this impulse is marking, relay becomes energized attracting its armature 3|. Attraction of armature 3| releases contact lever 36 permitting the spring contact of 2| to urge it against the surface of cam I Likewise the latching lever |6 moves toward the left under control of its spring and latches armature 3| in attracted position. As brush 56 moves forward off contact 5| the armature is locked in lowered position and lever 6 remains released. When brush 56 reaches segment 52, character element #2 is received. If this is likewise a marking impulse, magnet I2 is operated and locked up in a manner similar to that described in connection with magnet However, if the received impulse is spacing, magnet l2 does not operate and the circuit is retained in the position illustrated in the drawing. As the brush advances over the distributor passing successively over receiving segments 53, 54 and 55, each of the associated magnets |3, H or IE is actuated accordingly, depending upon whether the character impulse is marking or spacing. As brush 56 passes off contact segment 55, brush 60 is advanced so as to close a contact between sixth pulse ring 59 and sixth pulse contact 58. This establishes a circuit from positive battery over ring 59, brush 60, contact 56, winding of relay 3!! to ground. Since a marking impulse has been received on at least one of the magnets, the sixth pulse cut-out lever is moved to releasing position. Accordingly energization of relay 30 causes movement of armature 46 and releasing detent 29 for rotation.

Immediately upon starting of rotation, shaft 53 rotates cam 26 rocking start-stop lever 21 and opening contact 28. Opening of contact 28 impresses an open circuit or start impulse upon start-stop circuit 62. Start-stop circuit 62 may be a loop circuit connected to other apparatus, or, as illustrated may be connected directly with a printer magnet 65. Cam 26 is so formed that lever 21 is retained inposition to hold contact 28 open for very nearly a complete rotation of the shaft. As the shaft 63 continues to advance, the recessed portion of cam is brought adjacent to the protruding feeler portion of contact lever 6. Since magnet H was energized by the received impulse, lever 6 rocks forward closing contacts 2| to impress a marking signal on the start-stop loop. As lever 6 rocks under the influence of the contact spring 2|, the lower end of the lever strikes against the projecting portion of locking lever |6 forcing it to the right and releasing armature 3|. The armature, however. is prevented from completely returning to normal position by the end of lever 6. As the shaft 63 rotates still further cam rocks lever 6 to the left into the position shown in the drawing and armature 3| returns to normal position holding lever B in its restrained position. As the other cams are successively advanced by further rotation of shaft 63 the character impulses received over contacts 52, 53, 54 and 55, are successively impressed upon start-stop loop in the manner described in connection with magnet If a spacing impulse has been received on any magnet, the corresponding contacts are retained open and a spacing impulse is transmitted into the start-stop circuit. Near the end of one revolution shaft 63 again brings the recessed portion of cam 26 into a position opposite the projecting feeler portion of contact lever 21 permitting the lever to return to the right, closing contact 28 and impressing a stop impulse upon the start-stop circuit.

When the shaft has completed a full revolution the stop portion of detent 29 is again in contact with the upturned portion of armature 40 and is retained in stop position. Upon receipt of another sixth pulse contact, detent 29 is again released, providing any marking signal has been received upon any one of the starting magnets as explained above. The release and resetting of the latching levers |6 to 26, serves as a. release for the sixth pulse cut-out mechanism and positions blocking lever 31 in blocking position with respect to armature 40.

Should any further multiplex signals be received over the distributor before shaft 83 has completed a full revolution, any of magnets II to 20, which have already been returned to normal position may be reoperated, setting up the signals for the succeeding character therein. This permits a considerable overlap between the multiplex and the start-stop transmitter, it being necessary only that the signals being impressed on the startstop loop be maintained one or two elements in advance of those being newly set up from the multiplex. If there is such an overlap of signals, the sixth pulse cut-out mechanism will be operated in advance of the receipt of the sixth pulse and shaft 63 will therefore not be stopped between transmission of the succeeding characters.

While I here described and illustrated my invention in connection with Fig. 1 as applied to a multiplex to start-stop translator it should be distinctly understood that the principles of the invention are not limited to such a circuit arrangement. It is clear that the storage magnet locking and releasing arrangement is applicable to any system where it is desired to store a plurality of signal impulses and later transfer them to another circuit or utilize the stored signals to operate any permutation units. Theuse of the single means for transferring the signal and simultaneously restoring the storage magnet to normal, is equally useful in these other circuit arrangements. The immediate restoration to normal of the storage circuit without necessitating a separate restoring action will permit a large overlap of signals in any such circuit.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated diagrammatically an alternative arrangement for the receiving magnet and the locking arrangement. In this figure the elements corresponding to the parts of Figure l have been numbered with corresponding numerals with a prime mark added. The receiving magnet for one of the elements is illustrated at H. Associated with this magnet is armature 3| provided at its lower end with a projecting portion. In the normal unoperated state the contact lever 6' is held locked in position by means of latching lever l6 and addi tional latching lever 2M. These levers are provided with a common spring arrangement tending to rock them toward each other. Latching lever 20!, however, is prevented from moving by a projection on lever l5 and lever I6 is prevented from moving by a projection on lever 2M. Lever 6' is held in its last position by means of the projection on lever 20L Upon receipt of a marking signal magnet H is energized attracting armature 3|. The projecting portion on armature 3| serves to rock lever 21H to the right releasing lever 6' for operation when the cam feeler projection thereon is brought into cooperation with the recession in cam I. Simultaneously with the movement of lever 20!, lever I6 is moved downward by the spring into latching position holding lever 20! in its position toward the right. When the cam I has rotated to a position such that the feeler on lever 6' is opposite the depression, lever 6 rocks upwardly raising locking lever l6 and permitting lever 20I to return to the right. However, complete return to normal is prevented by the end of lever 6'. When lever B is again returned to normal position by the raised portion of cam I, lever 2M returns completely to its normal position retaining lever 6' in locked position. On lever I6 is provided a vertically disposed arm 200. Cooperating with this arm is provided a sixth pulse cut-out bail 36. This cut-out bail may operate to control a detent lever as illustrated in Fig. l, or may control a clutch arrangement for example the clutch of well known teletype printer as explained above.

It is clear that a plurality of magnets such as H, may be provided, one for each character element of the signal to be translated, to form a complete translator similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1.

While I have described my invention particularly with-relation to the structural embodiment illustrating a preferred form,'it is clear that this description is intended merely as an illustration of my invention. Other structural embodiments may be provided in accordance with the scope of the invention as defined within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:'

1. A telegraph system comprising a multiplex distributor having a plurality of signal receiving means, a receiving magnet operatively associated with each of said means, a translating circuit, controllable means in said translating circuit, contact controlling means operatively associated with said controllable means, mechanical locking means operatively associated with each of said contact controlling means and said magnets for normally retaining said contact controlling means in unoperated position, means responsive to received marking impulses on said segments for operating said magnets and releasing said contact controlling means, means operative upon operation of said magnet for maintaining said contact controlling means in released condition for storing said signals, means for operating said released contact controlling means for transmitting a signal to said translating circuit and for simultaneously rendering inoperative said means for maintaining, whereby said mechanical locking means is returned to normal.

2. A telegraph system comprising a distributor for distributing two types of signal elements, a plurality of magnets successively associated with said distributor and controlled by said signal for receiving said signal elements, a translating arrangement, a plurality of controllable signal means in said translating arrangement corresponding in number to said magnets, levers for operating said controllable signal means, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of received signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, lever control means ,for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said lever control means, and means responsive to said. o eration for successively operating said contact levers ror actuating the corresponding controllable means, said levers having portions for releasing said means for locking responsive to operation of said levers.

3. A telegraph translator comprising a distributor having a plurality of signal element receiving means, a plurality of magnets connected to corresponding distributor means, means for successively applying one of two types of signal elements to said distributor means for control ling said magnets in accordance with the signal, a translating circuit, a plurality of signal contacts in said translating circuit corresponding in number to said distributor means, contact levers for controlling said signal contacts, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, contact lever control means ror maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, and means for operating said contact lever control means for successively actuating said levers to close the corresponding signal contacts and to release said means for locking.

4. A multiplex to start-stop translator comprising a multiplex distributor, a plurality of magnets, means for successively applying one of two types of control impulses to said magnets for controlling said magnets in accordance with the 1 signal, a start-stop circuit, a plurality of signal contacts in said start-stop circuit, contact levers for controlling said signal contacts, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of control impulse to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets, operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, means for successively operating said released contact levels for closing the corresponding signal contacts, means operative upon operation of said contact levers for releasing said means for locking, and means for restoring said released levers to normal.

5. A telegraph translator comprising a plurality of magnets, a distributor, means for successively applying one of two types of control impulses to said magnets for controlling said magnets in accordance with the signal, receiving means for the translated signals, levers for transferring the translated signals to said receiving means, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of control impulse to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets, operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, lever control means for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said lever control means for successively actuating said levers to transfer the translated signals to said receiving means and simultaneously to release said means for locking, and means responsive to further operation of said lever control means for returning said levers to normal unoperated position.

6. A telegraph system comprising a distributor for distributing two types of signal elements. a plurality of magnets successively associated with said distributor and controlled by said signal for receiving said signal elements, a translating arrangement, a plurality of controllable signal means in said translating arrangement corresponding in number to said magnets, levers for operating said controllable signal means, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of received signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, lever control means for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said lever control means, means responsive to said operation for successively operating said contact levers for actuating the corresponding controllable means, said levers having portions for releasing said means for locking responsive to operation of said levers, said levers bein positioned to block a complete return of said lever retaining means to unoperated position, and means responsive to further operation of said lever control means for returning said levers to unoperated position and for releasing said lever retaining means.

7. A telegraph system, comprising, a multiplex distributor, a start-stop printing means for receiving and storing signals incoming over said multiplex distributor, means controlled by said distributor for transmitting a start signal to said printer and for successively transferring said stored signals to said printer, and means responsive to further operation of said distributor controlled means after completion of said transfer to transmit a stop signal to said printer.

8. A telegraph system comprising means for receiving and storing multiplex signals, a startstop printer, a printer motor for driving said printer, a transfer means for transferring successively said stored signals from said receiving and storing means to said printer and for operating said transfer means operated by said printer motor.

9. A telegraph system comprising a distributor for distributing two types of signal elements, a plurality of signal element storage means comprising magnets successively associated With said distributor for receiving and storing said signal elements, a printer having a printer motor, a transfer means for transferring said stored signal elements from said signal element storing means to said printer, a common driving means for driving said printer and said signal transfer means, and means responsive to operation of said signal transfer means for returning said signal storage means to unoperated condition.

10. A telegraph system comprising a distribu tor for distributing two types of signal elements, an impulse means actuated upon operation of said distributor to effect a release impulse, means for successively receiving and storing said signal elements, comprising, a plurality of magnets successively associated with said distributor and locking means responsive to one type of signal element for retaining opera-ted magnets receiving said one type of signal, means for successively transferring said stored signals to a translating arrangement, control means for controlling operation of said transferring means, a start magnet actuated by said release impulse, means under control of said start magnet for releasing said control means for operation upon actuation of said magnet, blocking means for blocking said start magnet controlled means from releasing, and means controlled by said locking means in response to said one type of signal for rendering said blocking means ineifective.

11. A multiplex to start-stop translator comprising a multiplex distributor having a plurality of signal element receiving segments, a plurality of magnets connected to corresponding distributor segments, means for successively applying one of two types-of signal element potential to said distributor segments for controlling said magnets in accordance with the signal, a startstop circuit, normally closed contacts for maintaining said start-stop circuit closed, a plurality of signal contacts in said start-stop circuit corresponding in number to said segments, contact levers for controlling said signal contacts, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, contact lever control means for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said contact lever control means, means responsive to said operation for successively opening said normally closed contacts and operating said contact levers for closing the corresponding signal contacts, means operative upon operation of said contact levers for releasing said means for locking, and means responsive to further operation of said contact lever control means for returning said levers to normal unoperated position and closing said normally closed contacts.

12,. A multiplex to start-stop translator comprising a multiplex distributor having a plurality of signal element receiving segments, a plurality of magnets connected to corresponding distributor segments, means for successively applying one of two types of signal elements potential to said distributor segments for controlling said magnets in accordance with the signal, a startstop circuit, a plurality of signal contacts in said start-stop circuit corresponding in number to said segments, contact levers for controlling said signal contacts, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, contact lever control means for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said contact lever control means for successively actuating said levers to close the corresponding signal contacts, means operative upon operation of said contact levers for releasing said means for locking, and means responsive to further operation of asid contact lever control means for returning said levers to normal unoperated position.

13. A multiplex to start-stop translator comprising a multiplex distributor, a plurality of magnets, means for successively applying one of two types of control impulses to said magnets for controlling said magnets in accordance with the signal, a start-stop circuit, a plurality of signal contacts in said start-stop circuit, contact levers Ior controlling said signal contacts, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retain ing corresponding ones of said contact levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of control impulse to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets, operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, contact ,w

lever control means for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, means for operating said contact lever control means for successively actuating said levers to close the corresponding signal contacts, means operative 3,;

said levers in unoperated position, means responsive to received marking impulses on said segments for operating said magnets and releasing said contact levers, means operative upon operation of said magnet for maintaining said levers in released condition, means for operating said released levers, for transmitting a signal to said start-stop circuit and for rendering inoperative said means for maintaining, whereby said mechanical locking means is returned to normal.

15. A telegraph system comprising a distributor for distributing two types of signal elements, a plurality of magnets successively associated with said distributor and controlled by said signal for receiving said signal elements, a translating arrangement, a plurality of controllable signal means in said translating arrangement corresponding in number to said magnets, levers for operating said controllable signal means, lever retaining means controlled by said magnets for retaining corresponding ones of said levers in normal unoperated position, said lever retaining means being operated in response to one type of received signal element to release its corresponding lever, locking means individual to each of said magnets operative in response to operation of said lever retaining means for locking said lever retaining means in releasing position, lever control means -for maintaining said released levers in unoperated position, a start magnet for normally holding said lever controlrneans from operation, means controlled by said disrtibutor for actuating said start magnet to release said lever control means for operation, means responsive to said operation for successively operating said contact levers for actuating the corresponding controllable means,'said levers having portions for releasing said means for locking responsive to operation of said levers, and means responsive to termination by actuation of said start magnet for returning said start magnet to normal holding condition.

FREDERICK G. HALLDEN. 

